When the Identity You Knew Falls Away

What happens when the identity that once defined you no longer fits?In this episode of The Story Seat, Benjamin J. Lee shares a deeply personal story of military service, combat, addiction, recovery, and the difficult journey of rebuilding a life after everything familiar begins to fall away.From serving as an Air Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician in Iraq and Afghanistan to navigating life after combat, Benjamin discovered that some of the hardest battles aren't fought overseas—they're fought within ourselves. His story explores identity, resilience, recovery, and the courage it takes to let go of an old version of yourself and begin becoming someone new.This is a conversation about the identities we carry, the moments that break them open, and what becomes possible when we choose to write a new chapter.A story of losing who you were, finding your way back, and becoming who you're meant to be.